Archive For: –LNM SC News

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!Below you will discover extracts the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has copied from the Local Notice to Mariners, that concern South Carolina waters. The choice of what to extract is based on our appraisal of news that is of primary interest to the cruising community, and should not in any way be considered a comprehensive relisting of all the information that is available in the Local Notice to Mariners’ various editions.
Also, please note that LNM extracts are listed below in chronological order, based on publishing date.

This south to north dredging project beginning at Ashepoo-Coosaw Cutoff and focusing on “hot spot” shoals in the South Carolina waterway is certainly welcome news. Review the SC Problem Stretches at https://cruisersnet.net/category/sc-aicw-problems/. Our thanks to Officer Justin Heck for this notice.

MSIB 02-18 ICW Hotspot Dredging (Port Royal to Charleston)
Goodloe Marine plans to commence dredging operations in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near St. Helena Sound (mile marker 518)on or about February 1, 2018. Dredging will continue north working on 7 different shoals within the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, ending near Johns Island, SC (mile marker 480). Work will be conducted 24/7 and is anticipated to be completed by September 2018. READ MORE!

During dredge operations, mariners should be aware that dredge pipeline and work boats may be working within the channel. Mariners should use caution while transiting the area.

For on-scene communications, mariners are advised to contact the dredge “TENACIOUS” on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. For more details, please contact Goodloe Marine at (813) 633-1321.

This MSIB can be viewed at www.homeport.uscg.mil. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center Line at (843) 740-7050.

Another change of dates. At least there is very little boat traffic here in January and we are lucky that Officer Heck has a direct contact with the construction company which allows him to get these notifications right away. Thank you Office Heck! This 65ft high-rise fixed bridge was begun in April of 2014 and will cross the Waterway just south of the two new high-rise bridges at Socastee. See /135939 for background on this bridge.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone during overhead construction activities related to the Carolina Bays Parkway Project (SC-31) located in Socastee, SC. A 200-yard safety zone will be established on the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) in the vicinity of mile marker 372.3 encompassing all waters directly under the SC-31 project as well as vessels and machinery associated with construction efforts. Enforcement will take place during overhead construction activities on the dates listed below. Entry of vessels or persons into the safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.
Mariners are urged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. Project site can be found on NOAA Chart 11534-Myrtle Grove Sound and Cape Fear River to Casino Creek. Location currently noted as “Bridge Under Construction”.
Dates:January 16, 2018 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Coast Guard will provide notice of any date or time changes to the regulated area by Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, Marine Safety Information Bulletins and on-scene designated representatives.
This MSIB can be viewed at www.homeport.uscg.mil. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843)323-7761 or the sector’s 24-hour Command Center Line at (843)740-7050.
Regards,
Justin Heck
Sector Charleston
Waterways Management Division
P: 843-740-3184
F: 843-740-3189

US 17 Bridge over the Ashley is not a Waterway bridge and its schedule will affect only those wanting to explore the upper Ashley River and whose air draft can clear the 51ft fixed vertical clearance bridge immediately downriver of the twin US 17 bascule bridge. These modifications, which limit openings to between 9AM and 4PM, will be greatly appreciated by James Island motorists such as yours truly!

SOUTH CAROLINA – CHARLESTON HARBOR – ASHLEY RIVER – US 17 BRIDGE: Final Rule
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the US17 Highway Bridges (Ashley River Bridges), across the Ashley River, miles 2.4 and 2.5, in Charleston, SC. READ MORE!

This rule requires a bridge tender to be present during daytime hours only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for on signal openings. All other times a 12 hour advanced notification is required. This modification provides relief to vehicle traffic congestion with minimal effect on navigation.
DATES: This rule is effective January 16, 2018
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Type USCG-2016-0776 in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, call or e-mail LT Justin Heck, Coast Guard Sector Charleston, SC, Waterways Management Division; telephone 843-740-3184, e-mail justin.c.heck@uscg.mil.
Chart 11524 LNM 51/17

MIAMI — The Coast Guard continues to reopen ports throughout the southeastern United States following Hurricane Irma.

Below is list of all ports in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District and their current port status.

Despite ports being open, mariners are urged to use caution while transiting waters in areas impacted by Hurricane Irma. Following hurricanes and other tropical weather systems aids to navigation are often missing or damaged. Additionally, debris is often swept out to sea from wind and storm surge. Mariners are asked to report any missing or damaged aids to navigation and debris that may pose a danger to safe navigation to the Coast Guard via VHF FM marine radio channel 16 or by contacting the nearest Coast Guard sector.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Effective 1 p.m.Sunday, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set port condition Yankee for the Port of Charleston and all other terminals and facilities due to the expectation of sustained gale force winds generated by Hurricane Irma that may arrive within 24 hours.
These ports and facilities are currently closed commercial traffic and all transfer operations while Yankee remains in effect.

These Week 26 listing of District 7 safety zones established for fireworks displays are all in South Carolina, but there are sure to be multiple displays all along the Waterway and throughout the Keys. As always, a sharp lookout and great caution must be observed if you are planning to observe the fireworks by boat, especially after the “party” has ended.

D7 SUMMARY OF MARINE EVENTS READ MORE!

SOUTH CAROLINA-MURRELLS INLET: Temporary Safety Zone 4TH of JULY
A temporary safety zone has been established for all waters within a 500 yard
radius around Veterans Pier, where fireworks will be launched, located in
Murrells Inlet, SC at approximate position 33°33’23”N, 79°01’48”W. This
safety zone will be enforced from 9:15 p.m. until 10 p.m. on July 4, 2017.
No one shall enter transit through, anchor in or remain within the regulated
areas unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or his
designated representative.
All persons requesting to transit through the regulated area must contact the
Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at: (843) 740-7050. For any
concerns, contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Office at: (843) 740-
3180. Chart: 11534, Ref: LNM 26/17
SOUTH CAROLINA-NORTH MYRTLE BEACH: Temporary Safety Zone 4TH of JULY
A temporary safety zone has been established for all waters within a 500 yard
radius around Cherry Grove Pier, where fireworks will be launched, located on
the Atlantic Ocean at approximate position 33°49’38”N, 78°37’54”W. This
safety zone will be enforced from 9:15 p.m. until
10 p.m. on July 4, 2017.
No one shall enter transit through, anchor in or remain within the regulated
areas unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or his
designated representative.
All persons requesting to transit through the regulated area must contact the
Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at: (843) 740-7050. For any
concerns, contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Office at: (843) 740-
3180. Chart 11534, Ref: LNM 26/17
SOUTH CAROLINA-MOUNT PLEASANT: Temporary Safety Zone 4TH of JULY
A temporary safety zone has been established for all waters within a 500 yard
radius around the barge from which fireworks will be launched, located on the
Cooper River at approximate position 32°47’01”N, 79°53’8”W. This safety zone
will be enforced from 8:45 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. on July 4, 2017.
No one shall enter transit through, anchor in or remain within the regulated
areas unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or his
designated representative.
All persons requesting to transit through the regulated area must contact the
Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at: (843) 740-7050. For any
concerns, contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Office at: (843) 740-
3180. Chart: 11524, Ref: LNM 26/17
SOUTH CAROLINA-NORTH CHARLESTON: Temporary Safety Zone 4TH of JULY
A temporary safety zone has been established for all waters within a 500 yard
radius around the barges from which the fireworks will be launched, located on
the Cooper River, at River Front Park in approximate position 32°51’57”N,
79°57’35”W. This safety zone will be enforced from 8:45 p.m. until 10:15 p.m.
on July 4, 2017.
No one shall enter transit through, anchor in or remain within the regulated
areas unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port or his
designated representative.
All persons requesting to transit through the regulated area must contact the
Coast Guard via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at: (843) 740-7050. For any
concerns, contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Office at: (843) 740-
3180. Chart: 11524, Ref: LNM 26/17

This destroyed daybeacon is on the east side of the Waterway at Mile 484.

SOUTH CAROLINA – AICW – CASINO CREEK TO BEAUFORT RIVER: Hazard to Navigation
Stono River Daybeacon 59 (LLNR 34800) is destroyed and the remains may pose a hazard to navigation. Wreckage is marked with a TRLB, with Fl Q G characteristics. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11518 LNM 17/17

This added buoy is intended to assist passage through a narrow, shallow turn of the Waterway south of Wadmalaw Island and is on the north side of the channel.

SOUTH CAROLINA – AICW – CASINO CREEK TO BEAFORT RIVER – DAWHO RIVER: Shoaling/Temporary Buoy Established
Due to shoaling Dawho River Buoy (TRUB 114) has been established in position 32-37-18.600N/080-17-07.415W. Mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. Chart 11518 LNM 03/17

Shoaling has been reported in the vicinity of Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Light 35 (LLNR 34235) and Daybeacon 42 (LLNR 34260). The reporting source also indicates that the depth of the water between Winyah Bay-Charleston Light 38 (LLNR 34245) and Daybeacon 42 (LLNR 34260) is approximately 4ft; however the depth is charted at 7ft. The ACOE has no future plans for dredging due to budget restrictions. Further information can be found on the ACOE Charleston website http://www.sac.usace.army.mil/ Mariners are advised to use extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11518 LNM 37/16

The local notice below is standard USCG procedure, but caution is still the proper watchword. Of course, such nav aid damage may well extend all along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

SOUTH CAROLINA – GEORGIA – FLORIDA
DUE TO THE PASSAGE OF HURRICANE HERMINE, AIDS TO NAVIGATION, STRUCTURES OR PLATFORMS MAY BE DAMAGED, DESTROYED OR SUBMERGED. LIGHTED AND UNLIGHTED BUOYS MAY MOVE FROM ASSIGNED POSITIONS, BE DAMAGED, EXTINGUISHED, SINK, OR OTHERWISE MADE INOPERATIVE. MARINERS SHOULD NOT RELY COMPLETELY UPON THE POSITION OR OPERATION OF AN AID TO NAVIGATION IN THESE AREAS, BUT SHOULD ALSO EMPLOY SUCH OTHER METHODS OF DETERMINING POSITION AS MAY BE AVAILABLE. WRECKS AND SUBMERGED OBSTRUCTIONS MAY MOVE FROM CHARTED LOCATIONS AND PIPELINES MAY BECOME UNCOVERED OR MOVE DUE TO THE FORCE OF STORM SURGE. MARINERS ARE URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION AND REPORT ALL AIDS TO NAVIGATION DISCREPANCIES TO THE NEAREST COAST GUARD UNIT. LNM 36/16

This area of shallow water is at the south end of the Estherville Minim Creek Canal which begins at the Waterway’s exit southward from Winyah Bay.

SOUTH CAROLINA – AICW – MYRTLE GROVE SOUND AND CAPE FEAR RIVER TO CASINO CREEK – WINYAH BAY – CHARLESTON HARBOR: Depth of Channel.
The U.S. Coast Guard has found at low-tide depths of less than 5ft of water in the middle of the channel between Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Channel Light 4 (LLNR 34120) and Winyah Bay-Charleston Harbor Daybeacon 5 (LLNR 34125). Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area. Chart 11532, 11534 LNM 35/16

Cruisers wishing to avoid the regularly shoaling Ashepoo-Coosaw Cutoff by using the alternative route (/?p=145074 and /145808) downsteam in St. Helena Sound to the Combahee Bank, then northwestward upstream on the Ashepoo River to rejoin the ICW, will want to pay close attention to depths as you round the Combahee Bank Light.

SOUTH CAROLINA – ST HELENA SOUND: Shoaling
Shoaling has been reported extending from Combahee Bank Light (LLNR 4040) approximately 1NM in a southeast direction. Depths are reported between 5-15ft at Mean Low Water, while Chart # 11517 shows between 22-25ft. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution. Chart 11517 LNM 28/16

As of July 4, 2014, new chart 11525 (Charleston Harbor Entrance and Approach) replaces the old chart 11523 (Charleston Harbor Entrance) and Chart 11523 is also replaced with 11528. It expands chart coverage further east, covering an additional 345 square nautical miles that wasn’t on the old chart. The harbor entrance channel intersects the Waterway at statute mile 465. And while this new chart is intended primarily for deep draft commercial vessels, it has value for all vessels navigating the entrance channel jetties which have prompted two recent Navigation Alerts: /?p=142704 and /?p=114481

The intersection of Northern Fields Cut and the Wright River lies north of the intersection of the Waterway and the Savannah River. Shoaling at this Problem Stretch has always been an issue and, even with last year’s dredging, shallow depths might be expected. This new Local Notice confirms earlier reports of severe shoaling as reported on May 21st, see /?p=141095.

SOUTH CAROLINA-AICW-BEAUFORT RIVER TO ST SIMONS SOUND-FIELDS CUT: SHOALING
There is shoaling directly in the middle of the AICW in Fields Cut. A depth of 2FT was reported in approximate position 32-05.185N/080-56.022W during low-tide and poses a hazard to navigation. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while transiting the area. Chart 11507 LNM: 33/14